New York: India has urged United Nations member states to pay their assessed contributions in full and on time, pointing to its own record of timely payments, ANI reported on Tuesday. Counsellor Surendra Adhana, at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, delivered India's statement at the 81st Main Session of the UN General Assembly's Fifth Committee, on the agenda item 'Improving the financial situation of the United Nations'.

Adhana said India has consistently paid its assessed contributions in full, on time and often in advance, and urged member states to fulfil their financial obligations to the world body. "Full, timely and unconditional payment of assessments is a Charter obligation of every Member State," he said.

Unpaid assessments under the UN regular budget stood at USD 1.46 billion in 2026 — yaani about 146 crore dollars — down from USD 1.87 billion a year ago. Over 90 per cent of those arrears are owed by a single Member State, the statement noted; the reports do not name the country.

Peacekeeping dues told a harder story: unpaid peacekeeping assessments reached USD 4.1 billion — yaani about 410 crore dollars — up from USD 3.7 billion last year, while collections stagnated at around USD 1.4 billion. Two Member States alone account for roughly 88 per cent of that amount.

There was one improving sign: 141 countries had paid their dues in full by September 30, up from 136 the previous year. Adhana said the UN's liquidity situation in 2026 remained challenging because of collection uncertainties and low cash balances, and that efficient mandate delivery and adequate, timely resources go hand in hand. India aligned itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77.

Sources: ANI wire report, October 20, 2026; India at UN, New York (@IndiaUNNewYork) on X; also reported by NewKerala.